TRIO Education & Career Advisor 10-month (3 openings)

California State University - Bakersfield; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Vacation and sick leave accrual

15 paid holidays per year

Job summary

California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) Auxiliary for Sponsored Programs Administration seeks a TRIO Education & Career Advisor to guide low-income and first-generation students toward postsecondary education. You will provide academic guidance, help with college applications, and coordinate workshops and college tours to support student success.

Responsibilities include one-on-one and group advising, maintaining records, and organizing enrichment activities like study skills workshops

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, counseling, student affairs, school counseling, or related field and two (2) years of professional experience in a high school setting, working with students one on one and in groups.
• A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and small-group academic advising supporting student success, high school completion, and postsecondary enrollment.
• Review transcripts, grades, attendance, and progress reports with students and help develop improvement plans.
• Conduct and evaluate workshops on college applications, financial aid, scholarships, and career exploration.
• Maintain accurate advising records and program documentation and coordinate with school counselors as needed.

Skills

One-on-one advising

Small-group advising

Workshop facilitation

Student records management

Collaboration with counselors

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Student affairs, School Counseling, or related field

Job description

BENEFITS

CSUB Auxiliary for Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, vacation and sick leave accrual, and 15 paid holidays per year.

POSITION PURPOSE

The TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) program from California State University, Bakersfield provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue their education and complete their postsecondary degree. In conjunction with other institutions of higher education, schools, and community organizations, the ETS program will develop and implement strategies to facilitate activities in the target area to ensure that its goals, objectives, and outcomes are achieved. The ETS program is a federally funded program designed to assist low-income and first- generation students.

Under the general supervision of the Director of TRIO Talent Search and the TRIO Associate Director, the TRIO Education & Career Advisor guides low-income and first-generation middle and high school students toward post-secondary education by providing academic guidance, college application assistance, and financial aid help, as well as organizing college tours and workshops. Key responsibilities include working one-on-one and in groups, creating individualized education plans, conducting workshops on study skills and test preparation, and maintaining student records and program documentation.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic, Career & Financial Aid Advising

• Provide individualized and small-group academic advising supporting student success, high school completion, and postsecondary enrollment. Assist students in exploring college majors, academic programs, admission requirements, and post-secondary options.
• Review transcripts, grades, attendance, and progress reports with students. Help students identify academic concerns and develop improvement plans, including strategies for study skills, time management, and academic motivation.
• Conduct and evaluate workshops, classroom presentations, and school visits on college applications, college readiness, financial aid, scholarships, career exploration, and related topics.
• Advise students on high school and college coursework, including A-G requirements, and monitor progress toward graduation and postsecondary enrollment. Coordinate with school counselors and teachers as needed to support students’ academic achievement.
• Assist students with college applications, essays, FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, and related documentation. Provide financial aid and financial literacy information and communicate application and financial aid deadlines.
• Maintain accurate advising records and student progress information. Prepare required program documentation for submission, such as workshop reports, sign-in sheets, transcripts, Student Aid Reports, graduation lists, A-G completion data, and matriculation records; update Google Sheets and other tracking tools.
• Monitor attendance and engagement of students participating in Tutoring/Absolute Priority programming.

High School Student Mentoring & Outreach

• Recruit eligible students and assist with program applications, intake documentation, and entry interviews.
• Mentor students individually and in small groups to support and promote academic and personal development, persistence, motivation, resilience, and progress toward postsecondary and career goals.
• Coordinate and deliver classroom-based enrichment activities focused on study skills, time management, leadership, and goal setting.
• Connect students and families with appropriate community resources, including mental health, housing, and food assistance, and conduct parent meetings quarterly on school requirements, higher education, financial aid, student progress, and available support services.
• Track student participation, progress toward goals, cohort information, and recruitment activity in accordance with program requirements.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the mentoring/tutoring program for participants at Target school site.
• Coordinate student recognition activities, including monthly celebrations and awards recognizing academic improvement, behavior, attendance, and other student accomplishments.
• Facilitate small-group sessions with college mentors and provide lead direction to student mentors and peer tutors to support scheduled program activities and services.
• Communicate regularly with school personnel and families to support student participation and coordinate services.

TRIO Program Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate services for an assigned caseload of TRIO participants and maintain regular communication with students, parents, and school staff regarding participation, progress, and program needs.
• Maintain accurate student records, case notes, and progress reports in accordance with U.S. Department of Education and program requirements. Contribute data and documentation for the Annual Performance Report and other required reports.
• Implement Absolute Priorities as mandated by the program including career practical skill- building, tutoring and coursework offerings in high demand fields ensuring documentation aligns with grant requirements.
• Distribute and collect ETS applications from assigned schools and coordinate intake activities for new participants.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver annual TRIO Talent Search events and student-centered services, including summer programs, college visits, and parent nights, in collaboration with school personnel.
• Maintain working relationships with school counselors, parents, and community organizations to coordinate student support and promote program participation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

– Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Student affairs, School Counseling, or related field and two (2) years of professional experience in a high school setting, working with students one on one and in groups. Must demonstrate working with tutorial programs and development of peer mentors. A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

LICENSES

– Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s)

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Ability to complete assignments on time and with a high degree of quality, accountability, responsiveness and to take projects from start to finish.
• General knowledge of SAT/ACT preparation tests, financial aid, introduction to different types of postsecondary education, and all other topics related to the mentoring and STEM tutoring program.
• Ability to work effectively to address the needs of income-eligible and first-generation students.
• General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the field as well as knowledge of advising and academic policies and procedures.
• Ability to gather and analyze data, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations; and participate in and contribute to group meetings.
• General knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules, regulations and policies, exercising sound judgment in situations without clear precedent.
• Skilled in using initiative and resourcefulness to plan assignments and implement long-term improvements.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, including data collection, evaluation, and clear presentation of findings.
• Able to provide routine individual and group advising.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications regarding other program or service areas.
• Skill in interviewing and advising in one-on-one, small group, and large groups.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year of experience that includes an understanding of developing strategies, and timelines in Student Support Programs including tutorial/mentoring implementation, conducting pre-college workshops and assisting students with the enrollment process into post-secondary education.
• Two (2) years of experience with federal programs, pre-college advising, financial aid, and public speaking.
• A Master’s degree in job-related field is preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) to be able to communicate with program participants; at a minimum, the ability to understand and to make ones self-understood to all Spanish speaking individuals
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

LIGHT WORK – involves mainly sitting, up to 25% standing or walking; lifting medium weight objects limited to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

N/A

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

SCREENING

Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU Bakersfield Auxiliary for Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SENSITIVE POSITION

Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

MANDATED REPORTER

Limited: The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

GENERAL INFORMATION

It is the policy of California State University Auxiliary for Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) to employ only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her State employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.